?Otn 

fc 

THE  KINGDOM  OF  CHRIST: 


A MISSIONARY  SERMON, 


PREACHED  BEFORE  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  OF  THE  PRES- 
BYTERIAN  CHURCH,  IN  PHILADELPHIA, 


MAY  230,  1805. 


BY  EDWARD  D.  _GRIFFIN,  A.  M. 

ONE  OF  THE  PASTORS  OF  THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH  IN  NEWARK,  (NEW  JERSEY.) 


Pfrlatielpfjia : 

PRINTED  BY  JANE  AITKEN,  NO.  2®, 

WORTH  THIRD  STREET. 

. . 


'H2-62 


1805. 


vam 

Szrmon* 

6r 


IN  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY, 

May  2/i.xh,  1805. 

“ Resolved,  That  the  standing  committee  of 
missions  be  directed  to  present  the  thanks  of  this  As- 
sembly to  Mr.  Griffin  for  his  sermon,  and  that  they 
request  a copy  thereof  and  take  measures  for  pub- 
lishing the  same 

A true  Copy,  NATHANIEL  IRWIN,  Clk. 


BY  THE  STANDING  COMMITTEE  OF 
MISSIONS; 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  committee  be 
presented  to  the  Revd.  Mr.  Griffin  for  his  missionary 
sermon  delivered  at  their  request. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

% 

JACOB  J.  JANEWAY,  Secy. 


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A SERMON 


col.  1.  16. 

TOR  BY  HIM  WERE  ALL  THINGS  CREATED  THAT  ARE  IN 
HEAVEN,  AND  THAT  ARE  IN  EARTH,  VISIBLE  AND  INVISI- 
BLE, WHETHER  THEY  BE  THRONES,  OR  DOMINIONS,  OR 
PRINCIPALITIES,  OR  POWERS;  ALL  THINGS  WERE  CREATED 
BY  HIM,  AND  FOR  HIM, 


W HILE  worldly  minds  are  confined  to  a 

few  surrounding  objefls,  unconscious  of  the  great 
scenes  above  them,  like  men  in  a cavern  who  have 
never  beheld  the  glories  of  nature;  the  devout  Chris- 
tian delights  to  raise  his  eyes,  and  contemplate  the 
perfedlions  of  his  Creator.  He  feels  a noble  and  in- 
extinguishable ardour  to  ascend  in  meditation  to  ever- 
lasting things,  to  lose  sight  of  earth  in  his  sublime 
excursions,  to  tread  the  pavements  of  heaven,  to  take 
a near  view  of  God,  and  from  that  exalted  summit 
to  look  abroad  among  his  Father’s  works.  The 
point  to  which  his  thoughts  aspire,  the  highest 
that  a created  mind  can  reach,  is  that  from  whence  he 
may  view  the  amazing  purposes  which  God  is  car- 


6 


rying  into  execution,  and  by  this  mean  discover  the 
moral  character  of  their  Author,  and  the  tendency 
of  all  things.  On  this  eminence  stood  the  great  apos- 
tle of  the  Gentiles,  when  he  pronounced  the  words  of 
our  text.  Let  us  accompany  him  to  that  command- 
ing height ; and  while  we  view,  may  the  divine  spirit 
clear  the  film  from  our  mental  sight,  that  we  may  gaze 
with  amazement,  adoration,  and  love. 

Placing  ourselves  at  the  beginning  of  time,  and 
looking  back  into  eternit)’’,  we  are  anxious  to  know 
what  induced  the  ever  blessed  God  to  exercise  his 
power  in  the  production  of  creatures,  and  w hat  valu- 
able object  he  proposed  to  accomplish  by  all  his 
works.  In  order  to  a right  solution  of  these  points, 
we  must  conceive  an  eternal  propensity  in  the  foun- 
tain of  love  to  overflow,  and  fill  with  happiness  num- 
berless vessels  fitted  to  receive  it.  We  must  con- 
ceive an  eternal  propensity  in  God  to  manifest  the 
richness  and  perfection  of  his  nature  to  creatures;  not 
for  the  sake  of  ostentatious  display,  but  to  enrich  the 
universe  with  the  knowledge  of  his  glory,  and  to  lay 
a foundation  for  general  confidence  and  delight  in  him; 
A state  of  unproductive  repose  was  not  a condition 
becoming  himself.  As  the  sun  exists  in  his  proper 
and  most  glorious  state  when  shedding  his  beams  to 
bless  the  dependent  planets,  so  God  is  conceived  to 
exist  in  his  proper  and  most  glorious  state  when  he 
is  benevolently  exercising  his  perfections  on  the  crea- 
ted system,  and,  so  to  speak,  hangs  them  around  him 
like  an  external  robe  of  light,  to  awaken  the  wonder 
and  joy  of  creatures.  The  stupendous  objcCt  which 
he  contemplated  was  an  immense  and  beautifully  ad- 


/ 


justed  kingdom  of  holy  and  happy  creatures,  in  which 
he  should  be  acknowledged  as  the  glorious  head,  and 
they  should  take  their  proper  place  at  his  feet;  in 
which  he  should  be  felt  as  the  center  of  attraction  to 
draw  all  its  parts  into  union  with  himself,  and  as  a 
sun  to  shed  blessed  influence  upon  the  whole;  and 
over  which,  w hen  its  prosperity  should  be  completed, 
he  might  rejoice  with  joy , and  rest  in  bis  love.* 

This  was  the  glorious  end  which  his  goodness  eter- 
nally proposed:  and  now  we  are  to  view  the  means 
which  he  ordained  for  its  accomplishment.  The  prin- 
cipal mean  adopted  was  the  appointment  of  his  Son 
to  aCt  as  his  vicegerent  in  the  creation  and  govern- 
ment of  all  worlds,  to  assume  a created  nature  into 
personal  union  with  himself,  and  thus  to  fill  up  the 
infinite  chasm  between  God  and  his  creation,  and  be 
the  grand  connecting  bond  between  finite  and  infinite 
natures.  As  head  of  his  Father’s  kingdom,  to  which 
he  was  to  be  closely  united  by  his  . assumed  nature, 
and  as  the  medium  of  all  intercourse  between  that 
kingdom  and  his  Father,  he  was  to  form  the  most 
perfeCt  union  between  God  and  his  creatures.  As 
thou.  Father,  art  in  me,  and  1 in  thee , that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us;  I in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  that  they 
may  be  made  perfect  in  one. f Put  forward  into  a 
public  station  as  his  Father’s  organ  and  image,  to  be 
seen  by  every  eye,  lie  was  to  bring  out  the  invisible 
God  to  view  from  the  hidden  recesses  of  his  nature, 
— to  bring  down  the  incomprehensible  God  within 
the  reach  of  finite  apprehensions,  and  to  serve  as  a 


* Zeph.  3.  17. 


f John  17.  21,  23. 


8 


mild  glass  through  which  creatures  might  view  the 
splendours  of  divine  perfe&ion  without  dazzling  and 
paining  their  sight. 

This  is  the  Christ,  the  anointed  agent,  of  whom 
our  text  declares,  By  him  were  all  things  created 
that  are  in  heaven,  and  that  are  in  earth , visible 
and  invisible , whether  they  be  thrones , or  domini- 
ons, or  principalities , or  powers ; all  things  were 
created  by  him,  and  for  him.  This  is  not  said  of 
him  simply  as  God,  but  as  the  christ,  who  fills  a 
middle  place  between  God  and  man,  and  partakes  of 
both  natures.  The  character  intended  is  pointedly 
marked  in  the  context,  every  part  of  which  applies 
only  to  Christ.  The  apostle  is  treating  of  the 
Messiah,  and  describes  him  as  the  image  of  the  in- 
visible God , the  first  born  of  every  creature , the 
head  of  the  body , the  church , the  first  born  from  the 
dead , in  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his 
blood-,  all  of  which  can  be  understood  of  him  only  as 
Mediator,  and  not  merely  as  second  person  of  the 
Trinity.  Can  we  then  acquit  the  apostle  of  the 
charge  of  introducing  a strange  confusion  of  charac- 
ters, unless  our  text  be  allowed  to  assert  that  all  things 
were  created  by  the  Messiah , and  for  the  Messiah? 

The  truth  I take  to  be  this:  All  the  works  which 
God  designed  to  produce  throughout  the  universe, 
he  delegated  Christ  to  accomplish.  All  the  displays 
of  God  which  were  ever  intended  to  be  made  to  crea- 
tures, Christ  was  appointed  to  make.  The  vast  plan 
which  involved  the  whole  creation,  and  all  the  mea- 
sures of  divine  government,  was  one  plan;  the  cxccu- 


9 


tion  of  which,  in  all  its  parts,  was  committed  to 
Christ.  It  is  elsewhere  said  that  all  things  were 
made  for  God , that  is,  for  the  display  of  his  perfec- 
tions, and  for  the  promotion  of  that  general  interest 
of  his  kingdom  which  he  benevolently  considers  his 
own.  In  peifect  consistency  with  this,  all  things  are 
here  said  to  be  made  for  Christ,  that  is.  for  the  illus- 
tration of  his  mediatorial  glory  (not  indeed  as  the  ulti- 
mate and  chief  end,  but  rather  as  the  principal  mode  in 
which  the  glory  of  God  was  to  be  displayed)  and  to  sub- 
serve the  vast  plan  which  he  was  appointed  to  execute, 
in  the  issue  of  which  God  will  be  all  in  all.  It 
would  seem  then  that  it  was  in  the  character  of  Mes- 
siah that  he  created  the  angels,  the  sun,  moon,  and 
stars,  and  all  other  things  visible  and  invisible;  and 
that  he  created  them  all  for  himself  as  Mediator;— in  a 
word,  that  he  created  all  w orlds  to  subserve  his  me- 
diatorial plan,  the  principal  scene  of  w hich,  it  is  well 
knowrn,  was  laid  upon  this  earth.  The  same  apostle 
in  another  place  declares  that  God  created  all  things 
by  Jesus  Christ — and  why?. — to  the  intent  that  now 
unto  the  principalities  and  powers  in  heavenly  places 
might  be  known  by  the  church  the  manifold  wis- 
dom of  God.*  In  one  of  his  addresses  to  the-  Chris- 
tian church  the  apostle  expressly  asserts,  all  things 
are  for  your  sakes.-\ 

Does  it  seem  incredible  that  all  other  worlds  should 
be  created  to  promote  the  purposes  of  grace  upon 
this  earth?  Why  is  this  more  incredible  than  that 
the  Mediator  should  upon  this  earth  purchase  the 

* Eph.  iii.  9,  io.  +2  Cor,  iv.  15. 

S 


glory  of  governing  the  rest  of  the  universe , and 
that  he  should  govern  the  whole  with  reference  to 
his  church ? — points  which  are,  in  the  clearest  man- 
ner, revealed.  It  is  said  that  he  humbled  himself  \ 
and  became  obedient  unto  death: — wherefore  God 
also  hath  highly  exalted  him; — that  at  the  name  of 
Jesus  every  knee  should  bow , of  things  in  heaven , 
and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the  earth. — 
He  raised  him  from  the  dead,  and  set  him  at  his  own 
right  hand  in  heavenly  places,  far  above  all  princi- 
pality, and  power,  and  might,  and  dominion,  and 
every  name  that  is  named,  not  only  in  this  world , 
but  also  in  that  which  is  to  come ; and  hath  put 

ALL  THINGS  UNDER  HIS  FEET,  AND  GAVE  HIM 
TO  BE  HEAD  OVER  ALL  THINGS  TO  THE  CHURCH, 
WHICH  IS  HIS  BODY,  THE  FULLNESS  OF  HIM 
THAT  FILLETH  ALL  IN  ALL.*  (a) 


* Phil.  ii.  8,  10.  Epli.  i.  20,  23 

(a)  The  dominion  conferred  on  Chrifl  as  a reward  for  what  lie  per- 
formed on  earth,  seems  not  10  have  been  limited  to  his  church,  but  to 
have  extended  to  the  universe.  Having  by  his  death  fulfilled  the  part, 
which  in  the  covenant  of  redemption  he  had  engaged  to  perform,  he 
appeared  to  his  disciples,  and  said  unto  them,  s, 111  power  is  given  unto 
mein  heaven  and  in  earth*  He  was  at  that  time  more  fully  invested 
with  the  dominion  of  the  universe,  which,  by  anticipation,  he  had  as 
Mediator  enjoyed  before  his  incarnation.  I mean  not  to  suggest  the 
idea  of  the  pre-cxistence  of  his  human  soul;  he  sustained  the  office 
of  Mediator,  and  in  this  character  governed  the  world,  before  he  pos- 
sessed any  other  than  the  divine  nature.  This  universal  dominion, 
which  is  temporary,  is  that  which,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  final  judg- 
ment, he  will  resign  to  the  Father while  he  will  still  retain  dominion 


* Mat.  xxviii.  r8. 


f 1 Cor.  xv.  24 — »8. 


11 


What  purpose  the  Mediator  intended  to  answer  by 
other  worlds  and  their  inhabitants,  in  prosecuting  the 
plan  of  redemption,  we  do  not  fully  comprehend.  The 
angels,  it  is  well  known,  are  subject  to  him  as  minis- 
tering spirits  to  his  church,  and  look  with  prying  cu- 
riosity and  astonishment  into  the  mysteries  of  redemp- 
tion.* But  what  use  he  makes  of  other  worlds  we  are 
not  told  in  his  word,  farther  than  that  they  are  put  under 
his  dominion;  and  we  also  know  that  they  serve  to  in- 
struct his  church,  while  they  influence,  adorn,  and  en- 
lighten the  earth  on  which  it  resides.  And  whatever 
inhabitants  they  contain,  we  must  believe  that  they  do 
now,  or  will  in  some  future  period,  bend  to  look  into  the 
transcendent  wonders  of  redemption,  and  will  take 
lessons  of  deep  instruction  and  interest  from  the  asto- 
nishing scenes  which  are  unfolding  on  the  earth,  (a) 

But  passing  by  other  worlds,  the  one  which  we  in- 
habit w’as  certainly  made  for  the  Mediator.  This  is 
the  favoured  wrorld  where  he  wras  to  assume  the  na- 
ture that  was  intended  to  form  the  connecting  link 
between  God  and  creatures  ; where  he  was  to  found  a 
church  to  be  a spectacle  to  angels  and  to  men  ;f 
where  he  was  to  display  the  most  august  and  awful 
w’onder  of  his  death.  Here  he  w?as  to  find  a miserable 

in  Zion,  and  according  to  ancient  promises  will  hold  die  throne  of  his 
father  David  forever. 

\ 

(a)  If  the  sentiment  that  other  worlds  were  created  for  the  Medi- 
ator should  not  appear  sufficiendy  supported,  I am  willing  it  should  be 

* Heb.  i.  14.  1 Pet.  i.  12.  f l Cor.  ir.  9. 


12 


race,  without  help  and  without  hope,  immersed  in 
vice  and  ignorance,  groaning  under  the  curse  of  a 
holy  law,  and  sinking  into  everlasting  wo.  Such  an 
occasion  was  to  be  presented  for  the  exercise  of  his 
unequalled  compassion,  for  an  exhibition  of  the  infinite 
tenderness  of  his  heart ; the  history  of  which  is  in- 
scribed  on  the  tablet  of  the  earth  in  tears  and  blood; — 
the  history  of  which  has  been  a million  of  times  re- 
peated by  deeply  affected  angels,  and  will  be  rehearsed 
in  the  songs  of  the  redeemed  to  eternity.  To  this 
earth,  and  to  Calvary,  methinks  I see  every  eye  di- 
rected from  the  most  distant  world  which  God  has 
made.  All  seem  to  point  to  this,  and  say.  Behold , 
for  once,  what  infinite  love  could  do  ! 

The  several  texts  and  arguments  already  adduced 
prove  emphatically  that  this  earth  and  all  its  furni- 
ture were  created  for  the  Mediator.  And  further 
to  confirm  this  idea  let  me  ask,  what  valuable 
purpose,  except  by  means  of  the  Mediator,  could 
a world  be  expected  to  answer,  which,  it  was  fore- 
seen, would  so  quickly  be  ruined  by  sin  ? What 
valuable  end,  in  any  other  way,  has  it  in  fact 
answered  ? We  judge  of  the  design  of  a thing  by  the 
use  to  which  it  is  put.  To  what  valuable  use  then 
has  the  earth  been  put,  but  to  bring  glory  to  God 

understood  as  expressed  rather  hypothetically  than  positively.  The 
author  has  no  title  either  to  the  honour  or  dishonour  of  originating  the 
idea,  which  has  been  held  by  divines  of  reputation,  and  possesses  at 
least  the  negative  merit  of  not  contradicting  any  of  the  doctrines  of  our 
church. 


13 


and  good  to  creatures,  through  the  mediation  of 
Christ?  If  it  was  designed  for  the  happiness  of  men, 
none  have  tasted  happiness  in  it  since  the  fall,  or  found 
it  a passage  to  heaven,  but  by  the  Mediator.  That 
Priest  only  has  procured  it  blessings  ; that  Prophet 
only  has  instructed  its  ignorance ; that  King  only 
has  dispensed  its  comforts.  If  it  was  created  for 
the  glory  of  God,  this  glory  shines  only  in  the  face  of 
Jesus  Christ.*  No  man  hath  seen  God  at  any  time  ; 
the  only  begotten  Son,  ’which  is  in  the  bosom  of  the 
Father , he  hath  declared  him .f  Him  only  have 
men  beheld ; only  his  works  and  providence  do  men 
contemplate.  Not  one  purpose  desirable  to  benevo- 
lence, or  illustrative  of  the  wisdom  or  goodness  of  its 
Author,  is  answered  by  the  earth,  but  in  consequence 
of  the  mediation  of  Christ.  And  of  all  the  displays  of 
divine  glory,  the  richest  appear  in  his  incarnation 
and  atonement,  in  the  pardon  and  government  which 
he  administers  in  the  church.  As  the  earth  has  in 
fact  answered  no  desirable  purpose,  but  through  the 
agency  of  the  Mediator,  such  a fact  must  have  been 
foreseen  in  the  day  of  its  creation,  and  it  must  have  been 
made  only  for  the  sake  of  the  good  to  be  accomplished 
by  Christ.  It  was  erected  for  a theatre  on  which  he 
might  make  an  exhibition  of  the  divine  perfections  in 
redeeming  his  church,  and  punishing  his  enemies : 
and  this  being  its  design,  the  work  of  erecting  it  w as, 
of  course,  assigned  to  him  for  whose  use  it  was  in- 
tended. He  formed  every  continent  and  ocean,  every 


* 2 Cor.  ir.  6. 


f John,  i.  1 8. 


14 


lake  and  island,  every  mountain  and  valley,  to  serve 
a race,  who,  he  foresaw,  would  fall,  and  whom  he  was 
determined  to  redeem.  He  created  every  beast  that 
ranges  the  desert,  every  fowl  that  flutters  under  the 
arch  of  heaven,  every  fish  that  dwells  in  the  caves  of 
ocean,  * every  drop,  and  every  dust,’  to  subserve  his 
great  design  of  grace.  The  whole  plan  of  this  world, 
including  creation  and  providence,  including  every 
event  from  its  beginning  to  the  final  judgment,  was 
involved  in  the  plan  of  redemption.  The  plan  is  one, 
though  comprehending  a vast  variety  of  parts. 
Among  this  variety,  some  parts  are  designed  to  fit 
the  earth,  by  innumerable  secret  and  nameless  in- 
fluences, for  the  accommodation  of  a race  to  be  re- 
deemed;— others,  to  unfold  the  wretched  character 
and  condition  of  men,  to  illustrate  their  need  of  a Sa- 
viour, and  the  richness  of  redeeming  grace.  Others 
are  intended  to  prepare  the  way  for  carrying  into  ef- 
fect the  purposes  of  mercy,  and  to  facilitate,  in  many 
ways,  their  accomplishment. 

Does  the  question  arise,  how  is  it  possible  that 
every  minute  substance  and  event  should  be  service- 
able to  the  kingdom  of  Christ?  The  speaker  does 
not  presume  to  explain  all  the  particular  relations  and 
tendencies  of  God’s  works;  but  this,  in  general, 
must  be  granted, — they  arc  all  designed  to  promote 
the  glory  of  God , though  the  manner  cannot  be  ex- 
plained, Give  me  this,  and  you  give  me  all:  for 
whatever  promotes  the  glory  of  God  u^as  needful  to 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  since  the  discovery  of  God 
to  men  vras  an  essential  part  of  the  plan  of  restoring 
them  to  the  enjoyment  of  him.  The  objection  that 


15 


we  cannot  discover  the  manner  in  which  every  thing 
renders  service  to  Christ,  does  not  disprove  our.doc- 
trine.  If  in  so  simple  a device  as  a manufactory 
constructed  by  human  art,  buildings  must  be  ereCted, 
and  many  machines,  instruments,  vessels,  and  dif- 
ferent substances  employed,  the  use  of  some  of 
which  a stranger  would  be  unable  to  explain,  though 
all  are  subordinate  to  one  end;  it  is  no  wonder  that 
the  stupendous  plan  of  redeeming  a world  should  con- 
tain an  inconceivable  variety  of  parts,  the  subser- 
viency of  many  of  which,  though  necessary  to  the 
result,  should  elude  our  research. 

As  the  earth  was  created  for  the  Mediator,  so  it  is 
preserved  to  be  the  residence  of  his  church ; in  allu- 
sion to  which  faCt  the  church  is  called  the  salt  of 
the  earth , as  being  the  occasion  of  saving  it  from 
dissolution.* 

By  Christ,  and/or  Christ,  the  earth  is  also  governed . 
Having  ereCled  this  theatre  for  an  exhibition  of  re- 
deeming grace,  he  took  the  management  of  it  into 
his  own  hands,  and  put  it  to  the  use  for  which  it  was 
intended.  He  early  established  a church  upon  it, 
and  in  the  chara£ter  of  Mediator  took  into  his  hands 
its  universal  government.  Made  head  over  all  things 
to  the  church,  he  has  marched  down  the  tract  of  ages, 
holding  the  north  in  his  right  hand,  and  the  south  in 
his  left,  with  his  eye  immoveably  fixed  upon  this 
single  cause,  and  forcing  all  nations  and  events  to 


* Mat.  r.  13 


16 


pay  tribute  to  it.  In  the  history  of  his  government 
which  the  Holy  Ghost  has  sketched,  we  trace  his 
dealings  with  nations  and  individuals  for  many  ages, 
and  view  his  providence  under  a column  of  light 
which  discloses  its  tendency  and  object.  Here  we 
discover  his  hand  employed  behind  the  scene,  in  di- 
recting the  affairs  of  many  inferior  nations,  and  espe- 
cially of  the  four  great  empires  of  antiquity,  with 
pointed  reference  to  his  church.  Looking  through 
the  glass  of  prophesy,  we  discern  that  throne  which 
Ezekiel  saw  in  his  vision,  rolling  on  the  wheels  of 
providence  down  the  descent  of  time  to  the  end  of 
the  world,  prostrating  every  interest  raised  against 
his  church,  and  overturning  to  prepare  the  way  for 
the  full  establishment  of  his  kingdom  upon  earth. 
Under  his  government,  the  apostle  expressly  de- 
clares, all  things  work  together  for  good  to  his 
church;  all  things  are  theirs , whether  the  world, 
— or  things  present , or  things  to  come.*  The  re- 
volutions of  empires,  rebellions  and  wars,  the  coun- 
cils of  kings,  and  the  debates  of  senates,  are  all  pres- 
sed  into  the  service  of  Christ.  Bibles,  sacraments, 
sabbaths,  and  the  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  have 
no  other  objeCl.  Seed  time  and  harvest,  famine  and 
pestilence,  tempests,  volcanoes,  and  earthquakes,  are 
all  made  to  advance  his  interest. 

As  this  world  was  wholly  intended  for  the  scene  of 
redemption,  all  the  good  which  it  contains  belongs 
to  the  plan  of  grace  that  was  laid  in  Christ.  His 

Rom.  viii.  i Cor.  iii.  21,  22. 


17 


kingdom  comprises  every  valuable  objeft  which  God 
proposed  to  himself  in  creating,  preserving,  and  gov- 
erning the  world, the  whole  amount  of  his  glory 

upon  earth,  and  the  immortal  blessedness  of  millions 
of  men.  It  is  the  only  cause  on  earth  that  is  worth 
an  anxious  thought.  It  is  the  only  interest  which 
God  pursues  or  values,  and  the  only  objedt  w orthy  of 
the  attention  of  men.  For  this  sole  object  were  they 
created,  and  placed  in  this  world,  with  social  affec- 
tions adapted  to  their  present  state,  with  employments 
appointed  for  the  preservation  of  their  lives.  No  one 
interest  distinft  from  the  kingdom  of  Christ  are  they 
required  to  pursue.  No  laws  but  those  which  ap- 
pertain to  this  kingdom,  and  which  of  course  respe6l 
only  the  concerns  of  it,  were  ever  ena6ted  by  heaven 
to  dire61  their  conduft.  Their  secular  employments, 
their  social  duties,  are  enjoined  only  as  subordinate 
to  the  interests  of  this  kingdom.  Their  private  and 
social  propensities  they  arc  not  indeed  required  to 
extinguish;  but  with  these  about  them,  to  march 
with  a strong  and  steady  step  directly  towards  this 
great  object,  with  their  eye  filled  with  its  magnitude, 
and  with  hearts  glowing  with  desires  for  its  promotion. 
It  is  required  that  whether  they  eat  or  drink , or  what- 
ever they  do,  they  should  do  all  with  reference  to 
this  obje6t.  As  then  we  can  rely  on  the  decision  of 
infinite  wisdom,  expressed  both  in  the  example  and 
precepts  of  God,  we  are  assured  that  this  kingdom 
ought  to  engross  the  supreme  cares  of  men,  and 
exert  a commanding  influence  over  all  their  a6tions; 
— that  it  should  be  the  great  object  of  their  lives, 

and  their  governing  motive  every  hour.  The  bosom 

c 


18 


of  the  child  should  be  taught  to  beat  with  delight  at 
the  name  of  Jesus,  before  it  is  capable  of  compre- 
hending the  nature  of  his  kingdom.  The  youth 
ought  to  regulate  all  his  pleasures,  his  actions,  and 
his  hopes,  with  an  eye  fixed  on  this  kingdom.  The 
man  ought  to  respect  it  in  every  important  under- 
taking, in  all  his  common  concerns,  in  the  expres- 
sions of  his  lips,  in  the  government  of  his  passions, 
in  the  thoughts  of  his  heart.  Not  worldly  emolument 
or  distinction,  but  the  interest  of  the  blessed  Redeem- 
er, should  be  his  highest  object, — should  be  daily 
and  hourly  loved  and  sought  with  all  his  heart  and 
soul.  To  this  should  he  consecrate  all  his  talents, 
all  his  influence,  all  his  wealth.  Instead  of  pursuing 
with  headlong  zeal  their  separate  interests,  all  men 
should  join  in  promoting  this  kingdom,  as  the  com- 
mon interest  of  mankind, — the  great  concern  for 
which  thev  were  sent  into  the  world.  , 

J 

If  the  eyes  of  men  were  opened,  they  would  see 
this  cause  to  be  of  infinite  value, — worthy  to  be  the 
object  for  which  all  things  were  created.  It  is  the 
cause  which  not  only  all  the  energies  of  nature,  but 
all  beings  and  agents,  conspire  to  advance.  It  is  the 
beloved  cause  on  which  the  heart  of  the  Son  of  God 
was  set,  when  it  beat  in  the  babe  of  Bethlehem,  and 
when  it  bled  on  the  point  of  the  spear.  It  is  the 
cause  to  which  angels  have  zealously  ministered;  to 
which  devils  have  involuntarily  lent  their  aid.  It  is 
the  cause  which  has  engaged  the  ardent  attention  of 
wise  and  good  men  in  every  age.  It  is  the  cause  for 
which  patriarchs  prayed,  for  which  prophets  taught, 


19 


for  which  apostles  toiled,  for  which  martyrs  bled. 
For  the  consummation  of  this  cause  upon  earth  many 
eyes  have  waited,  from  age  to  age,  in  unwearied  ex- 
pectation; many  prophets  and,  righteous  men  have 
desired  to  see  it;  many  who  sealed  their  faith  with 
their  blood,  looked  forward  to  this  glorious  event  with 
eyes  glistening  in  the  agonies  of  death.  The  whole 
creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together 
to  bring  forth  this  grand  consummation. 

The  cause  of  Christ  is  the  only  one  which  will 
prevail  and  live  amidst  the  wrecks  of  time.  Strong 
as  the  arm  of  omnipotence,  it  will  hold  on  in  its 
majestic  course,  bearing  down  and  crushing  every 
thing  that  resists  its  progress.  Every  interest  that 
is  placed  on  this  foundation  is  safe;  but  inevitable 
ruin  awaits  every  thing  beside.  Wo  to  the  man 
whose  destinies  are  not  united  with  the  kingdom  of 
Christ.  Wo,  wo  to  the  man  who  sets  himself  to 
oppose  this  holy  kingdom. 

Though  at  present  disregarded  by  men,  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  is  destined  to  engage  the  profound  at- 
tention of  all  nations.  It  is  destined  to  banish  from 
the  abodes  of  men  the  miserable  effects  of  the  fall, 
and  to  restore  all  the  tribes  of  the  earth  to  themselves 
and  to  God.  When  the  glories  of  this  kingdom 
shall  cover  all  lands, — when,  after  a long  succession 
o wintry  years,  the  spring  time  of  the  world  shall 
come, — when  the  beauties  of  holiness  shall  clothe 
every  region,  and  songs  of  salvation  shall  float  in  every 
breeze; — then  will  it  be  seen  that  the  world  was  not 


20 


made  in  vain.  It  is  transporting  to  look  down  the 
vale  of  time,  and  see  the  miseries  of  six  thousand 
years  come  to  an  end,  the  convulsions  of  a disordered 
world  composed,  and  the  glory  of  Zion  filling  all  the 
earth.  Lend  me  an  angel’s  harp,  while  I look  for- 
ward to  approaching  scenes,  which,  distant  as  they 
then  were,  enraptured  the  souls  of  the  holy  prophets. 
How  divinely  did  they  sing,  when,  fiom  the  mount 
of  vision,  they  beheld  across  the  shade  of  many  trou- 
blous years  the  church  standing  on  the  field  she 
had  won,  triumphantly  shouting,  Lo , this  is  our 
God;  wi f have  waited  for  him,  we  will  be  glad  and 
rejoice  in  his  salvation .*  Sometimes  in  the  midst  of 
their  sorrows,  while  nothing  was  escaping  them  but 
the  sounds  of  a breaking  heart,  a glimpse  of  this 
glory  would  break  upon  their  view;  and  then  the 
tear  which  stood  in  their  eye  forgat  to  fall,  their  half- 
uttered  sigh  died  upon  their  tongue,  (hey  awoke  to 
to  rapture,  and  exclaimed,  Thou  shaft  arise  and  have 
mercy  on  Zion , for  the  time  to  favour  her,  yea  the 
set  time  is  come.] 

The  church  has  hitherto  possessed  but  a small  pro- 
portion of  a world  created  for  its  use;  but  the  day  is 
drawing  on,  when  the  everlasting  gospel  shall  be 
preached  to  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people  ; 
— when  from  the  rising  of  the  sun,  unto  the  going 
down  of  the  same,  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
great  among  the  gentiles  -, — w hen  all  shall  know  him 
from  the  least  to  the  greatest,  Jor  the  earth  shall  be 

#Ifa.  xxv  & xxvi.  f See  an  inftanccof  this  nature  in  the  cii.  Pfalm. 


21 


jilted  with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
as  the  waters  cover  the  sea.  And  the  ransomed  of 
the  Lord  shall  return  and  come  to  Zion  with  songs 
and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads;  they  shall 
obtain  joy  and  gladness , and  sorrow  and  sighing 
shall  flee  away.  Their  sun  shall  no  more  go  down , 
nor  their  moon  withdraw  itself  for  the  Lord  shall 
be  their  everlasting  light,  and  the  day sof  their  mourn- 
ing shall  be  ended.  A thousand  times  ten  thousand 
captives  shall  drop  their  chains,  and  corfic  forth  to 
light  with  joys  too  big  for  utterance;  and  this  miser- 
able world,  once  the  emblem  of  hell, — this  miserable 
world,  after  being  so  long  shaken  with  tempests, 
shall,  like  the  waters  of  a peaceful  pool,  reflect  the 
image  of  heaven.  Paradise  shall  be  restored ; and 
then  shall  appear,  to  the  confusion  of  all  the  enemies 
of  Christ,  the  blessed  efficacy  of  his  gospel  to 
heal  the  wounds  of  a bleeding  world.  This  is  the 
triumph  of  the  woman’s  seed; — this,  the  bruising 
of  the  serpent’s  head.  Is  not  every  Christian  rapt 
as  he  thus  views  from  Pisgah  the  promised  rest  on 
earth?  Is  enthusiasm  here  a crime ? Would  not  cold- 
ness be  rebellion?  Come,  thou  Desire  of  nations , 
come!  Come,  thou  restorer  of  a world  ! 

Lo,  a still  more  transporting  sight  appears ! My 
ravished  eye  beholds  the  kingdom  of  Christ  advanced 
to  the  glories  of  the  heavenly  state.  Faith  looks 
through  the  vail  which  conceals  the  eternal  world, 
and  discerns  thousands  of  millions  of  happy  beings, 
ransomed  from  destruction  and  brought  home  to 
their  Father’s  house  ; — it  beholds  the  church  encir- 
cling the  throne  of  her  Redeemex",  casting  her  honours 


22 


at  his  feet,  buried  in  the  ocean  of  his  glory,  united  to  the 
Father  by  ineffable  relation,  while  all  heaven  is  ringing 
with  hosannas  for  redeeming  love  : — there , there  is 
the  august  kingdom  completed  which  God  at  first 
undertook  to  erect ! Say  now, — pronounce, — is  not 
the  object  worthy  of  all  the  means  employed  for  its 
attainment?  Do  you  hesitate?  Look,  and  think  again: 
Follow  only  one  human  soul  into  eternity;  trace  its 
endless  course  through  delights  which  flesh  and  blood 
could  not  sustain,  or  through  fire  sufficient  to  melt 
down  all  the  planets; — pursue  it  through  the  ascend- 
ing degrees  of  its  eternal  progression,  see  it  leaving 
behind  the  former  dimensions  of  seraphim  and  che- 
rubim, and  still  stretching  towards  God; — or  sinking 
forever  in  the  bottomless  abyss — My  God!  what 
an  event  is  the  redemption  of  a single  soul!  O the 
infinite  mercy  that  redeemed  such  countless  mil- 
lions! O the  boundless  compassion  of  Christ, — the 
ocean  without  a bottom  or  a shore ! 0 the  depth  of  the 
riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God, 
which  are  disclosed  in  this  unfathomable  plan  of  grace! 

Where  are  infatuated  infidels  now?  Bring  up  hitherall 
their  bands  to  behold  the  glorious  Agent,  and  the  glo- 
rious. interest,  which  they  oppose.  Julian,  Celsus, 
and  Porphyry,  what  now  think  you  of  Christ!  Vol- 
taire, Hume,  Gibbon,  and  Bolingbroke,  where  are 
now  those  tongues  which  blasphemed  the  anointed 
Messiah?  Let  our  subject  burst  like  ten  thousand 
thunders  upon  those,  who  in  rejecting  the  Mediator 
resist  all  the  designs  of  God,  who  would  destroy  the 
only  interest  of  the  universe,  who  are  fatally  contend- 
ing with  all  the  energies  of  omnipotence! 


23 


Oh  that  I had  a voice  to  reach  the  hearts  of  im- 
penitent sinners  of  every  class.  Knew  ye  the  infinite 
glories  of  our  Messiah,  the  darling  of  heaven,  the 
wonder  of  angels,  the  august  Agent  of  the  universe; — 
knew  ye  your  ruin  and  necessities; — knew  ye  the 
tenderness  of  Him  who  wept  because  you  would 

sin, who,  to  save  your  wretched  souls,  swet 

drops  of  blood,  and  expired  on  the  ragged  irons;  you 
would  not  thus  idly  pass  by  his  reeking  cross,  you 
would  not  thus  refuse  him  reverence,  and  coldly  cast 
away  the  benefits  of  his  dying  love. 

In  applying  this  subject  I would  summon,  were  I 
able,  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  to  arise  in  one 
mass  to  urge  forward  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer. 
Assemble,  yepeople,  fromthefourquartersof  theglobe; 
awake,  ye  nations,  from  your  sleeping  pillow,— 
combine  in  this  grand  object  of  your  existence, — 
this  common  interest  of  the  "world.  Ye  kindreds  and 
tribes,  why  are  ye  searching  for  happiness  out  of  this 
kingdom,  and  overlooking  the  cause  of  Christ,  as 
though  he  had  no  right  to  hold  an  interest  on  earth  ? 
Know  ye  that  no  man  is  licensed  to  set  up  another  in- 
terest on  this  ground  which  is  sacred  to  the  Redeemer. 
What  have  you  to  do  in  this  world  if  you  will  not 
serve  the  Lord’s  Anointed  ? If  you  will  not  submit 
to  his  dominion,  and  join  to  advance  his  cause,  go, 
go  to  some  other  world — this  world  was  made  for 
Christ. But  whither  can  you  go  from  his  pre- 

sence? All  worlds  are  under  his  dominion.  Ah! 
then  return,  and  let  your  bosoms  swell  w ith  the  noble 
desire  to  be  fellow-workers  with  the  inhabitants  of 
other  worlds  in  serving  this  glorioles  kingdom. 


24 


My  brethren,  my  brethren!  while  all  the  agents  in 
the  universe  are  employed,  some  with  fervent  desire, 
and  others  by  .involuntary  instrumentality,  to  advance 
the  cause  of  Christ,  will  an  individual  of  you  refuse 
it  your  cordial  support?  Can  you,  in  the  centre  of 
universal  action,  consent  to  remain  in  a torpid  state, 
absorbed  in  private  cares,  and  contracted  into  a lit- 
tleness for  which  you  were  not  designed?  Awake, 
and  generously  expand  your  desires  to  encircle  this 
benevolent  and  holy  kingdom.  God,  who  has  set 
you  an  example  of  exclusive  regard  to  this  object, 
demands  it  of  you.  Christ,  who  purchased  the 
church  with  his  blood,  demands  it  of  you.  The  holy 
angels,  who  incessantly  minister  to  the  church,  de- 
mand it  of  you.  The  illustrious  army  of  patriarchs, 
prophets,  apostles,  and  martyrs,  by  their  services 
and  sufferings  for  the  church,  demand  it  of  you.  How 
then  can  you  meet  the  eyes  of  this  awful  company 
of  spectators,  who  watch  you  from  every  window  of 
heaven,  unless  you  rouse  every  sleeping  faculty, 
and  with  your  collected  powers  join  to  advance  the 
kingdom  of  the  Redeemer? 

My  brethren,  there  is  much  for  you  to  do. 
Though  the  world  w-as  made  for  Christ,  though  all 
the  nations  of  it  arc  intended  to  swell  his  triumph, 
yet,  at  this  very  moment,  five  parts  out  of  six  of 
that  race  for  whom  he  shed  his  sacred  blood,  are 
perishing  in  ignorance  of  his  gospel,  chained  in  mise- 
rable and  degrading  servitude  to  satan.  Many  of 
them  are  also  suffering  all  the  hardships  of  a barbarous 
state,  without  domestic  or  civil  order,  wallow  ing  in 


25 


the  sinks  of  vice,  and  besmearing  the  altars  of  de- 
vils with  human  blood.  Touched  with  affection  for 
Him  who  pitied  us  that  we  might  pity  others, — for 
Him  who,  though  he  was  rich , yet  for  our  sakes  be- 
came poory  that  we  through  his  poverty  might  be 
rich ; — can  we  forbear  to  cherish  the  pious  wish  that 
he  may  enjoy  the  reward  of  his  dying  love?  Do  not 
our  hearts  throb  with  desire  to  be  instrumental  in 
giving  him  the  heathen  for  bis  inheritance , and  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession? 

Distinguished  will  be  the  glory  of  that  generation 
who  shall  be  selected  to  bear  a conspicuous  part  in  this 
blessed  work.  If  those  who  are  now  alive  on  the  earth 
decline  this  honour,  it  will  certainly  be  seized  by  a more 
generous  and  holy  posterity.  To  thepresent  generation, 
however,  it  seems  fairly  tendered  by  the  existing  indi- 
cations of  divine  providence.  Great  events  appear  to 
be  struggling  in  their  birth.  In  the  eager  attitude  of 
hope,  many  are  looking  for  the  dawn  of  a better  day, 
and  even  believe  that  they  already  see  the  light  purpling 
the  east.  The  Christian  world,  after  long  contenting 
itself  with  prayers  for  the  heathen,  and  with  saying. 
Be  ye  warmed  and  filled , is  awaking  to  more  charita- 
ble views.  Men,  warmed  with  apostolic  zeal,  have 
abandoned  the  comforts  of  civilized  life,  and  are  gone 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  to  bear  to  benighted  nations 
the  first  tidings  of  a precious  Saviour.  Numerous 
societies  have  risen  into  existence  on  both  sides  of 
the  Atlantic,  under  whose  patronage  missionaries  are 
now  employed  from  India  to  the  American  wilderness, 
from  Greenland  to  the  southern  ocean.  Some  of  the 

n 


.26 


first  fruits  of  their  labours,  I hope,  are  already  ga- 
thered into  the  heavenly  garner.  While  our  brethren 
are  thus  summoning  us  from  the  four  quarters  of  the 
earth  to  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord , let  us  not 
incur  the  curse  of  Meroz\  let  us  quickly  put  our 
hands  to  the  work  lest  it  be  done  without  us.  If 
we  altogether  hold  our  peace  at  this  time,  then  shall 
there  enlargement  arise  from  another  place;  but 
we  and  our  Jather's  house  may  be  destroyed.* — But 
why  should  I thus  speak?  You,  my  brethren,  have 
already  felt  the  heavenly  impulse;  you  have  given  to 
the  Lord;  and  the  affe£ling  accounts  of  your  mis- 
sionaries show  that  you  have  received,  thus  early, 
the  blessing  of  some  who  were  ready  to  perish. 

Let  us  still  pursue  the  glorious  design,  and  rise 
above  every  objection  which  a cold,  calculating  spirit 
may  cast  in  our  way.  . We  are  bound  to  persevere 
by  the  express  command  to  go  forth ' into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.  We 
are  bound  by  mercies  which  we  ourselves  have  re- 
ceived. Had  not  benevolent  men  devoted  their  proper- 
ty and  lives  to  bring  the  gospel  to  our  fathers,  we 
might,  this  evening,  have  been  assembled,  not  in  this 
temple  of  God,  but  to  sacrifice  our  children  on  the 
altar  of  devils.  Methinks  I hear  those  generous 
spirits  crying  from  the  verge  of  heaven,  Freely  ye 
have  received,  freely  give. 

Let  me  never  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  man  who, 
while  lie  refuses  to  aid  the  missionary  efforts  of  his 


* Efth.  ir.  14. 


27 


brethren,  coolly  says  that  he  submits  the  fate  of  the 
heathen  to  God.  Do  you  call  this  submission?  Put 
it  to  the  test; — does  it  preserve  you  equally  compo- 
sed by  the  bed  of  your  dying  child  ? \\  hile  the  pres- 
sure of  private  afflictions  can  torture  your  soul,  call 
not  the  apathy  with  which  you  view  nations  sinking 
into  hopeless  ruin, — call  it  not  submission,  nor  bring 
the  government  of  God  to  sanction  a temper  as  cruel 
as  it  is  common.  Will  the  government  of  God  con- 
vert the  heathen  without  the  means  of  grace  ? What 
nation  was  ever  so  converted  ? It  is  contrary  to  the 
established  method  of  divine  grace.  How  shall  they 
believe  in  him  of  ivhom  they  have  not  heard?  And 
how  shall  they  hear  without  a preacher  ? No,  my 
brethren,  missionaries  must  go  among  them;  and 
they  must  be  supported.  They  cannot  support  them- 
selves ; they  cannot  derive  support  from  the  heathen; 
nor  can  they  expeCl  to  be  fed  by  ravens.  Who  then 
shall  sustain  the  expense  if  not  the  Christian  world  ? 
and  what  portion  of  the  Christian  world  rather  than 
the  American  churches  ? and  what  distriCl  of  these 
churches  rather  than  that  in  which  we  are  assembled? 
and  what  individuals  rather  than  ourselves  ? Heaven 
has  given  us  the  means;  we  are  living  in  prosperity 
on  the  very  lands  from  which  the  wretched  pagans  have 
been  ejefted;  from  the  recesses  of  whose  wilderness 
a moving  cry  is  heard,  When  it  is  well  with  you , 
think  of  poor  Indians.  This  is  not  ideal ; we  have 
received  such  messages  written  with  their  tears. 

No,  we  will  not  shift  this  honourable  burden  upon 
others.  We  would  sooner  contend  for  it  as  a privi- 
lege. But  we  need  not  contend  ; it  is  ample  enough 


28 


to  satisfy  the  desires  of  all.  The  expense  of  chris- 
tianizing only  the  savages  on  our  borders  will  be  great; 
but  to  extend  effectual  aid  to  all  the  benighted  tribes 
on  the  American  continent,  to  the  numerous  islands, 
to  the  vast  regions  of  Asia  and  Africa,  would  demand 
the  resources  of  Christendom.  Every  man  is  under 
bonds  to  God  to  bear  his  full  proportion  of  this  ex- 
pense. For  whom  but  for  the  Redeemer  was  your 
wealth  created  ? Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Tour  silver , 
and  your  gold  is  mine.  The  flocks  of  Kedar,  and 
the  gold  of  Sheba,  were  created  to  bring  tribute  to 
his  church.  Should  we  sordidly  close  our  hands 
against  him,  he  can,  with  infinite  ease,  extort  a 
hundred  fold,  by  sending  a blast  into  our  fields,  a 
disease  into  our  families,  or  a fire  into  our  dwellings. 
It  is  a maxim  that  admits  of  general  application. 
Whosoever  will  save  his  life , shall  lose  it ; but  who- 
soever will  lose  his  life  for  Christ’s  sake , the 
same  shall  save  it. — The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made 
fat , and  he  that  watercth  shall  be  watered  also 
himself  He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor  lendeth 
to  the  Lord , and  that  which  he  hath  given  wil  he 
pay  him  again.  By  one  shower  of  rain,  by  one  re- 
straint upon  the  winds  that  would  sink  your  ship,  by 
one  breeze  sent  to  fan  from  your  door  the  pestilential 
vapour,  he  can  repay  you.  And  he  can  bestow  the 
blessings  of  eternity  on  you  and  j our  children.  The 
best  security  for  r<  numeration  is  offered.  He  tenders 
you  his  blessing  to  reward  your  charity.  And  now 

are  you  Christians  ? The  trial  is  to  be  made. 

The  everlasting  fates  of  men  turn  upon  the  existence 
of  a temper  to  prefer  the  blessing  of  God  to  mammon. 
To  the  merciful  he  will  shew  himself  mereijul ; 


29 


but  ivboso  stoppcth  his  ears  at  the  cry  of  the  poor , 
he  also  shall  cry  himself  \ but  shall  not  be  beard. 

I have  nothing  to  spare , is  the  plea  of  sordid  re- 
luctance. But  a far  different  sentiment  will  be  formed 
amidst  the  scenes  of  the  last  day.  Men  now  persuade 
themselves  that  they  have  nothing  to  spare  till  they 
can  support  a certain  style  of  luxury,  and  have  provi- 
ded for  the  establishment  of  children.  But  in  the 
awful  hour  when  you,  and  I,  and  all  the  pagan  nations, 
shall  be  called  from  our  graves  to  stand  before  the  bar 
of  Christ,  what  comparison  will  these  objects  bear  to 
the  salvation  of  a single  soul?  Eternal  mercy!  let  not 
the  blood  of  heathen  millions,  in  that  hour,  be  found 

in  our  skirts! Standing,  as  I now  do,  in 

sight  of  a dissolving  universe,  beholding  the  dead 
arise,  the  world  in  flames,  the  heavens  fleeing  away, 
all  nations  convulsed  with  terror,  or  rapt  in  the  vision 
of  the  Lamb, — I pronounce  the  conversion  of  a single 
pagan  of  more  value  than  all  the  wealth  that  ever  om- 
nipotence produced.  On  such  an  awful  subject  it  be- 
comes me  to  speak  with  caution;  but  I solemnly 
aver,  that  were  there  but  one  heathen  in  the  world, 
and  he  in  the  remotest  corner  of  Asia,  if  no  greater 
duty  confined  us  at  home,  it  would  be  worth  the 
pains  for  all  the  people  in  America  to  embark  toge- 
ther to  carry  the  gospel  to  him.  Place  your  soul  in 
his  soul’s  stead.  Or  rather  consent  for  a moment  to 
change  condition  with  the  savages  on  our  borders. 
Were  you  posting  on  to  the  judgment  of  the  great 
day,  in  the  darkness  and  pollution  of  pagan  idolatry, 
and  were  they  living  in  wealth  in  this  very  district 
of  the  church,  how  hard  would  it  seem  for  your 


k 


neighbours  to  neglect  your  misery!  When  you 
should  open  your  eyes  in  the  eternal  world,  and  dis- 
cover the  ruin  in  which  they  had  suffered  you  to  re- 
main, how  would  you  reproach  them  that  they  did 
not  even  sell  their  possessions,  if  no  other  means 
were  sufficient,  to  send  the  gospel  to  you.  My  flesh 

trembles  at  the  prospect ! But  they  shall  not 

reproach  us.  It  shall  be  known  in  heaven  that  we 
could  pity  our  brethren.  We  will  send  them  all 
the  relief  in  our  power,  and  will  enjoy  the  luxury  of 
reflecting  what  happiness  we  may  entail  on  genera- 
tions yet  unborn,  if  we  can  only  effect  the  conversion 
of  a single  tribe. 

All  that  remains  for  me  to  add  is  a fervent  prayer, 
that  He  who  is  viewing  from  heaven  the  events  of 
this  evening,  may  incline  your  hearts  to  the  noblest 
charity,  and  may  reward  it  with  everlasting  blessings 
on  you  and  your  children.  Amen. 


THE  END, 


« > 


. 


1 


